Doors Open Days Midlothian
Scotland's annual Doors Open Days festival gives you free access to lots of fascinating buildings across Midlothian! This year's event will be held 13th & 14th September!
About Doors Open Days Midlothian
Doors Open Days is Scotland’s largest free festival that celebrates heritage and the built environment, new and old. Every September, you can explore hundreds of fascinating buildings across Scotland for free. Some open up once a year, some just once in a lifetime.
Doors Open Days is a national event run by the Scottish Civic Trust. Information about the national programme, including event listings, can be found at www.doorsopendays.org.uk.
Programme Highlights:
Arniston House
13 September 2025
14 September 2025
Arniston House is a magnificent Palladian style manor house by William Adam, commissioned in 1726 nestled at the heart of the working rural estate. Featuring stunning architecture, stucco works, a beautiful collection of art, furnishing and portraits by renown artists such as Raeburn, Ramsay and Alexander Nasmyth, a tour of Arniston an experience of history, beauty and creativity.
Cousland Smiddy and Heritage Hub
13 September 2025
Cousland Smiddy gives visitors a fascinating glimpse into our village's heritage, with an early 18th century blacksmith's workshop, Victorian cottage, other partially conserved associated buildings, organic allotments in the former gardens and recreational spaces to enjoy. We believe there has been a continuously working Smiddy on this site in the village since at least 1703. The location is home to Cousland Smiddy Trust, Cousland Local History Project, Cousland Community Heritage Hub and the Cousland Smiddy Plotters.
Crichton Collegiate Church
13 September 2025
Crichton was built as a Collegiate Church by Sir William Crichton, Lord Chancellor of Scotland in the time of King James II, and boasts a fine suite of stained glass windows by Ballantine and Gardiner. The pipe organ dates from 1898 and was built by Joseph Brook. The building is now in the care of a charitable Trust.
Dalkeith Community Fire Station
13 September 2025
Dalkeith Fire Station opened on 9 November 1970 and is an integral part of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. It provides a high quality fire-fighting and rescue service that responds to fires and other emergencies, educating and advising the general public on community safety matters, enforcing fire safety legislation and advising local authorities and other agencies with respect to their own legal obligations.
Dalkeith Masonic Lodge
13 September 2025
The Lodge was completed and consecrated in 1766 by the local order of Freemasons and is reputedly the oldest purpose-built lodge room in the world.
Dalkeith Museum
13 September 2025
Dalkeith Museum is a small independent museum, fully accredited by Museum Galleries Scotland. It is located in the rear of the Grade A listed Dalkeith Corn Exchange – at one time, the largest in Scotland. The museum is totally run by a team of volunteers on behalf of Dalkeith History Society. It provides a welcoming open space where visitors can discover the often under-estimated and under-told history of a once vibrant market town.
Lodge St Leonard Loanhead and Lasswade
13 September 2025
This Lodge has been active in Loanhead since February 1876 when a Charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of Scotland to allow it to be formed. The foundation stone was laid on 29 April 1899.
Mavisbank House
20 September 2025
Construction on Mavisbank House began in 1723, by Sir John Clerk of Penicuik and the architect William Adam. Just over 50 years ago, a major fire left the building in ruins and finally efforts to restore the house are now underway.
Midlothian Camera Club
13th September
Midlothian Camera Club is a small but active and friendly camera and photography club. The club caters for all levels of photographic ability and interests.
MMCC Bonnyrigg Mosque
13 September 2025
You’re warmly invited to the Doors Open Day at Bonnyrigg Mosque – a special event for the community to explore the building, learn more about Islam, enjoy exhibitions and presentation. Try some refreshments, and ask any questions you may have.
Penicuik Papermaking Heritage Museum
13 September 2025
We are a small museum exploring Penicuik’s unique heritage as one of the most important centres of papermaking in the world.
We are open all day to let our visitors take full advantage of a visit to the Museum. Visitors can tour the museum, try their hand at making paper and visit Pen-y-Coe Press to learn about printing.
Soutra Aisle
13 September 2025
14 September 2025
Soutra Aisle, dated 1686, is a family burial vault, constructed when the Scottish church banned monuments inside churches. The Aisle marks the site of the largest and best endowed hospital in medieval Scotland which has been the focus of a unique archaeo-medical investigation since 1986.
St James the Less, Scottish Episcopal Church
13 September 2025
The church will open for people to look at our fabulous stained glass, to look at the memorials and our historic reredos designed after the First World War. There are leaflets available describing the stained glass decoration and memorials.
St Mary's in the Park, Dalkeith Country Park
13 September 2025
A Scottish Episcopal Church built in 1845. It has numerous special features like the organ, roof, and stained glass.
For Doors Open Days the water organ will be played throughout the day.
Temple Old Kirk
13 September 2025
Temple Old Kirk is a fine ruined medieval parish church built over the foundations of the Knights Templar Preceptory of Balantrodoch, the headquarters of the Knights Templar in Scotland - the 'Settlement of the Warriors'.
For Doors Open Days there will be guided tours on demand throughout the afternoon.
The Gorebridge Beacon
14th September
The Gorebridge Beacon is a community hub offering event spaces, offices, a community café, and a beautiful garden and play area, maintained by our volunteers. We run a weekly pantry service where locals can do their grocery shop for a nominal charge, and our halls host a range of activities including community groups, workshops, children’s parties and wellbeing events. The Beacon itself is an architecturally interesting building, designed to echo Gorebridge’s mining heritage, while offering a modern airy space for our community to come together.
Thistle Modelmakers
13 September 2025
14 September 2025
We are a small group of railway modellers, based in Mayfield, Dalkeith, who design and make exhibition layouts.
For Doors Open Days come and see some of our layouts from around the world! Members will be on hand to give demonstrations and answer questions.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
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Other Events at Various Venues or Doors Open Days
Doors Open Days - Fife West
Scotland's annual Doors Open Days festival gives you free access to lots of fascinating buildings across Fife. Check out this year's events in Fife West!
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Doors Open Days: Lost Glasgow: Lost buildings
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Doors Open Day: Behind The Scenes Centenary Tours
Celebrate the National Library of Scotland's centenary with a free 'behind the scenes' tour of Scotland’s moving image and sound archive at Kelvin Hall!
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Doors Open Days: Mitchell Library
As part of Doors Open Days, come along to hear about the Mitchell Library's fascinating history, explore its beautiful spaces, and discover some of the unique collections that make it so special.
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Doors Open Days: Couper Institute
See behind the scenes of the historic Couper Institute in partnership with Glasgow Life as part of Doors Open Day 2025!
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Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival
Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival is an annual event celebrating the city's architecture, culture, and heritage through a free programme of open buildings and events taking place in September!
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Doors Open Days: Jackton Distillery Maltings Tours
Exclusively for Glasgow Doors Open Days 2025, Jackton Distillery will be showing off their state-of-the-art maltings - for the first time ever!
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Doors Open Days: Glasgow Street Aid
Join Glasgow Street Aid for an exclusive look behind the scenes at their extraordinary, purpose fitted Medical and Welfare Centre as part of Doors Open Days!
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Doors Open Days: A Sense of the Sacred
Have fun at St Brides and see if you can ring the church bell on this special event as part of Doors Open Days 2025!
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Doors Open Days: Maryhill Women’s History Walk
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Get a sneak peek behind the scenes and get to know the iconic King's Theatre like you've never before on this guided tour as part of Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival!
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Doors Open Days: Shoebox City
Join National Library of Scotland at Kelvin Hall for an all-ages creative session as part of Glasgow's Doors Open Days Festival and get hands on with imagining and building the city of the future!
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Doors Open Days: Finding Glasgow - Kelvin Hall (re)collects
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Doors Open Days: The Art of Assemblage
In this fun workshop led by author, artist and illustrator Ben Morse, you can learn the art of collage and create your very own artwork from a range of printed materials.
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In this workshop, Father Peter Bradley will lead us through the secret language that Hildegard devised, her work on herbs and healing, her journalling, and her musical morality play.
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Door Open Days: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow will be opening their doors to visitors to explore their beautiful rooms and learn about the history of medicine and surgery in Glasgow.
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Glasgow Firsts at the Mitchell Library: Doors Open Day Handling Session
Feast your eyes on some 'Glasgow Firsts' at the Mitchell Library's Doors Open Day handling session on Saturday 20th September!
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Doors Open Days: Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre
The doors will be open for a warm welcome from all at the Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre as part of this year's Doors Open Days events!
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Doors Open Days: Mackintosh at the Willow Guided Building Tours
Learn about the history and design of the original Willow Tea Rooms building, the restoration of this masterpiece, and the visionary Edwardian entrepreneur, Miss Kate Cranston on a guided tour!
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Scotland's annual Doors Open Days festival gives you free access to lots of fascinating buildings across West Lothian! This year's event will be held on 20th & 21st September!
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Doors Open Days: St Bride’s Great Animal Safari Trail
Go on an animal safari and see how many different creatures you can find and identify within the choir stalls at St Brides Episcopal Church as part of Doors Open Days 2025!
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Doors Open Days: Researchers at Work: Tours of the ARC
Come along and see researchers in action! The ARC are hosting small group tours showcasing the world-class research going on in the centre.
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Doors Open Days: Tenement House
This is your chance to see inside of Glasgow's most loved tenement, An authentic time capsule of life in early 20th-century Glasgow, as part of Doors Open Days!
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Doors Open Days: Holmwood House
Discover Holmwood House Alexander 'Greek' Thomson's finest domestic creation as part of Glasgow's Doors Open Days Festival 2025!
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Doors Open Day at The Engine Shed
The Engine Shed is opening it's doors on 20th and 21st September as part of Doors Open Day 2025. Join us to discover what's inside and learn about it's history!
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Explorathon at Glasgow Doors Open Day
Dip into the fantastic research happening on your doorstep, with family-friendly activities and exhibits as part of the Scotland-wide Explorathon festival, in partnership with Glasgow Doors Open Days!
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Doors Open Days: Illuminating the Divine Tour
St Bride's has a fine collection of stunning church glass windows dating from the first half of the 20th century, find out all about them on this special tour as part of Doors Open Days 2025!
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Doors Open Days: Eastwood Park Theatre - Guided Tours
Join the team at Eastwood Park Theatre on Sunday 21st September for a behind the scenes tour as part of Doors Open Day 2025!
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Doors Open Days: Eastwood House - Guided Tours
To celebrate Doors Open Day 2025 and its theme of Architectural Heritage the team at Eastwood House are offering a truly unique opportunity to learn about this magnificent mansion house.
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Doors Open Days: Miss Cranston’s Classroom
Bring your family to Mackintosh at the Willow this Doors Open Days and get a taste of 1903 in this extra-special Living History experience!
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Doors Open Days: Out of the Blue Drill Hall
On Saturday 27th September, hourly tours will be running at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall from 11am until 1pm as part of Edinburgh Doors Open Days!
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Edinburgh Open Workshop - Doors Open Day
Discover creativity on your doorstep as Edinburgh Open Workshop invites you to step inside for Doors Open Day 2025 on Saturday 27th September!
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Doors Open Day: Adam Smith’s Panmure House
Explore the historic Adam Smith's Panmure House in the heart of Edinburgh for Doors Open Day weekend!
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Doors Open Days Stirling 2025
Scotland's annual Doors Open Days festival gives you free access to lots of fascinating buildings across Stirling!
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